Our family loves the island of Maui. It has become an annual tradition to visit annually. While there are so many things to do with kids on Maui, many people ask me what are the best restaurants in Maui for families?
Not to worry, because having visited Maui for the last 10 years since my oldest son was 18 months old, I've got the list of the best places to eat in Maui with kids. In fact, one of our favorite things about the island is the food.
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Why These Are the Best Restaurants In Maui For Families
Generally speaking, my husband often judges a place's “family friendliness” by its restaurants. And, as Hawaiians love the Keiki (Hawaiian for kids), there are many places to eat in Maui with kids.
Our family has come to know and love many of Maui's best kid-friendly restaurants. In fact, many of them and their signature dishes have become an annual tradition. They are often a welcome reprieve after an active day doing one of the amazing family adventures in Maui.
Food Is Part Of Hawaiian Culture
Food is a cultural experience, as it often tells the story of the resources and the culture of the area. This is especially true in Hawaii.
Hawaiian foods are not just an important part of Hawaiian culture, but they are a signature way for Ohanas (Hawaiian for families) to gather. In fact, traditional Luaus are all centered on food and the gathering of the Ohana.
All of these restaurants on this list are quite welcoming to Ohanas. In fact nearly all either have a Keiki (kid) menu or will make accommodations for you.
Locally Sourced Ingredients
In Hawaii, you can expect to find excellent food. Not only do many Hawaiian restaurants commit to high-quality ingredients, many often use (when possible) fresh local fish and farm-fresh foods from right on the island. So, often you can be assured of the best-sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Our family loves supporting local culture and businesses. So, visiting these restaurants helps out not just the business and their employees, but also many of the local farms, markets, and food suppliers on the island. Plus, locally sourced ingredients is always a great quality for any restaurant.
The Spirit Of Aloha
The service is also usually top-notch at the best places to eat with kids on Maui, as the spirit of Aloha is alive and well on the island. And, if you are lucky and time it right, at some of these locations you may get to watch the sunset or enjoy a local Maui musician while you enjoy your meal.
It is a wonderful way to end your day of family adventures on Maui.
Traditional Tastes Of Maui
With Maui's abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, farmers' markets, high-quality cattle farms, and the Pacific ocean filled with sashimi-grade fish, Maui is a culinary playground for adult and kid foodies alike.
From farm to table meals to traditional feasts, there is as much variety and quality as there is a rainbow of colors in the food. Enjoying some of the local favorites is a great way to teach your kids about Hawaiian culture.
Some of the traditional foods you may find in Maui include:
Kalua Pork
A staple of any Luau, the pork is is cooked in the ground or sometimes wrapped in banana leaves and baked in the oven.
Huli Huli Chicken
The chicken is barbecued with a sweet and savory teriyaki-like sauce.
Fish and Seafood (like Mahi Mahi)
Mahi Mahi is a staple and favorite among Hawaiians and is often served with a garlic butter sauce.
Poi
Another Hawaiian staple, poi is ground taro in a paste-like consistency and has a sweet flavor.
Banana Bread
Fresh, warm banana bread is absolutely a tradition on Maui. You can find some of the best homemade ones at roadside stands, including Julia's Best Banana Bread in Wailuku.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Maui has an abundance of delicious fruits and vegetables for enjoying from local farms, roadside stands, and farmers' markets. Lilikoi, papaya, mango, coconut, breadfruit, and pineapple are some of the most common fruits to enjoy on the island.
Maui Desserts
Macadamia nuts are a common flavor on Maui, and delectable desserts, bread and even ice cream with island flavors like macadamia nut are common on Maui. One of the most famous is the Hula Pie (a macadamia nut ice cream pie! Shave Ice (frozen, shaved ice with syrup flavors and sometimes an added cream) is also a common sweet delight on the island.
The Best Restaurants On Maui For Families
I am always a fan of attending a Luau if you have the chance, and the Old Lahaina Luau is my favorite in Maui. It is a great place to try a variety of traditional Hawaiian foods. But, that is the only way to enjoy the tastes of Maui.
Now that you know a bit about what you may find on the menus in some of the restaurants, here are some of the best places to eat in Maui with kids. Whether you are looking for family-friendly restaurants near Lahaina, or are needing delicious places to eat in Kihei after a great beach day, you will find awesome family-friendly dining all over the island of Maui.
One note is that some of these places get quite busy, so you may want to make advanced reservations.
Best Moderately Priced Maui Restaurants For Families
Down The Hatch
- Located in Lahaina, near the incredible banyan tree.
- Very casual quick service.
- Price: Moderate (Adult entrees are $12-$20)
- Keiki's get free shave ice at the store next store with their kids' meal.
- Amazing tacos.
- BVWK Tip: This restaurant is very casual in the bottom floor of the shopping center. Bathrooms require an elevator ride/flight of stairs. Seating is “food court” style, so send one person to order the others to grab a table.
Coconut's Fish Cafe
- Located in Kihei (two locations, plus a few others outside Maui and has a food truck)
- Keiki Menu
- Price: Moderate ($10-$22 per adult entree)
- Quick service
- BVWK Tip: It doesn't look like much on the outside, but inside it is delightfully decorated and very family-friendly. This gem serves absolutely delicious food, quality ingredients, and even some family recipes, and employs the friendliest staff I have come across. It was an absolute gem to find.
Cheeseburger In Paradise
- Located in Lahaina (has a few sister restaurants in Lahaina and Wailea)
- Keiki Menu
- Price: Moderate ($14-$20 per adult entree)
- This is the flagship location of this restaurant that has since also opened in other locations. Uses some local ingredients and offers local favorites.
- BVWK Tip: Great place to watch the sunset.
Flatbread Pizza Company
- Located in Paia
- No Keiki menu but Keiki's are most welcome and encouraged to draw pictures for display!
- Price: Moderate ($20-$25 per pizza)
- Restaurant with many locations in the Northeast (original is in Vermont).
- Known for sourcing local, high-quality ingredients to make some of the best salads and pizza you have ever tasted!
- BVWK Tip: Due to limited seating, reservations are recommended.
Best Moderate to Pricey Maui Restaurants For Families
Duke's Beach House Maui
- Located in Kaanapali
- Keiki Menu
- Price: Moderate to Pricey ($25-$50 entrees)
- Named after Duke Kahanamoku, a beloved Hawaiian swimmer who popularized surfing.
- Duke's Maui sources ingredients from a variety of Maui farms.
- BVWK Tip: Fantastic place to watch the sunset.
Leilani's On The Beach
- Located in Kaanapali (in Whaler's Village)
- Keiki Menu
- Price: Moderate to Pricey ($25-$50 entrees)
- Serves the famous Hula Pie, a must-try dessert. Leilani's sources local ingredients in many of their menu items.
- BVWK Tip: Fantastic place to watch the sunset. This restaurant gets crowded so I advise making a reservation.
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman's
- Located in Kaanapali (in Whaler's Village) and Wailea
- Keiki Menu
- Price: Moderate to Pricey ($15-25 entrees)
- Owned by Merriman's, Monkeypod offers a simpler menu full of local and fresh ingredients. Pizzas, burgers, and of course fish are the main options.
- BVWK Tip: Make a reservation. It is more casual than Merriman's.
Hula Grill Maui
- Located in Kaanapali (in Whaler's Village)
- Keiki Menu
- Price: Moderate to Pricey (adult entrees range from $20 to $45)
- Hula Grill sources a lot of local ingredients and serves a lot of Hawaiian favorites.
- BVWK Tip: Fantastic place to watch the sunset. Get a reservation as it can be busy.
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar Maui
- Located in Kapalua and Kihei
- Does not have a Keiki menu, but will offer kid-friendly options. Is better for older kids/teens.
- Price: Moderate to Expensive (it is sushi after all!)
- BVWK Tip: Make a reservation as this restaurant is very popular.
Merriman's
- Located in Kapalua
- Keiki Menu, but is a bit fancier so great for an adult-only dinner.
- Price: Moderate to Expensive ($35 to $50 + entrees)
- One of the most stunning views in all of Maui and a fantastic place to watch the sunset.
- Sources a lot of local ingredients.
- BVWK Tip: This restaurant is more fine dining, but would be fine for older kids or teens. Make a reservation, though as it is in high demand. If you have additional family staying with you or are using any of the island childcare services, you can enjoy an adult-only dinner.
Mama's Fish House
- Located in Paia, right on the beach.
- Keiki Menu, but is a bit fancier so great for an adult-only dinner or for older/teens/less picky eaters.
- Price: Expensive ($50 to $75 + entrees)
- Fresh fish caught daily and served on the menu. It is so fresh, that the daily menu actually lists the fishermen's names and where they caught the fish! Unless you are a mermaid, you won't get fresher fish than this!
- BVWK Tip: Mama's fish house is a destination, not just a restaurant. It is on many peoples' “bucket list” of things to do in Maui. Definitely make a reservation in advance (maybe even before you arrive in Maui.)
Choice Health Bar
If you are a fan of smoothies, acai bowls, vegan dishes, and clean eating, Choice Health Bar is one of my favorite spots. Located in Lahaina and in Kaanapali, it is our go-to spot for a delicious, healthy lunch after a morning snorkel or scuba dive.
Final Thoughts About The Best Restaurants In Maui For Families
Maui is a great place for adult and kid foodies alike. Though this is not a complete list, these are our family's favorite spots for some of the best places to eat with kids on Maui. After a wonderous day enjoying family adventures on Maui, you can delight in the Hawaiian cuisine at some of the best restaurants in Maui for families.
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All those restaurants sound devine. Hope to get to go to them someday, when we get to visit Hawaii.
Sounds great! I love the photos of desserts! YUM! Hopefully, we will get there someday!